But if they're wanting this to be a series of films in the Justice League franchise and beyond, would it be wise to go with an older Batman?

I think you've got to get good actors first of all. Actors can more easily bulk up, and learn the fighting shit, than they can getting the acting chops together to get into the character.

While it might not be wise, Zack Snyder, Frank Miller, and Warner's Michael Uslan want it, so it's going to happen regardless of whether some think it's short-sighted or not. Besides, Josh Brolin's only 45. They've got 48 year old Robert Downey Jr. still playing Iron Man for the next couple of years, so it wouldn't exactly be a stretch.

So is Joker the confirmed villain? I think a reincarnation of the Riddler would work better with the Luthor character. Both men of vast intelligence joined together. I don't know; just appears to be a better fit for me. Honorable mention would be to bring in Dr. Victor Fries into the series. I hated Arnold’s version and would really love to get that awful taste out of my mouth by doing honors to such a great villain in the Batman series.